"Healthful Living, Part II" - The President's Blog for October 2, 2009
Healthful Living, Part II Read and respond at the end of the article.
Reactions to last week’s update coupled with an ongoing reading of Counsels on Diet and Foods have encouraged me to do a part two to healthful living. However, I make it clear that I feel in no way qualified to write regarding health reform, but at the same time, I find it difficult to excuse myself from such an assignment. Writing on the subject of health reform may convey the impression that the writer or proponent has it altogether; and therefore, persons begin to look to him or her as a model. That is certainly not my objective or motivation. Instead, the aim is to encourage everyone to give consideration to healthful living and, where needed, make adjustments; for God requires all of His children to be wise and embrace His total teaching,
which includes health reform.
Health Issues Among Adventists
Among us, Seventh-day Adventists, exist certain diseases that affect us such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and lung related disorders. Some of these, I am told, may be hereditary --passed on from parents, but are very much treatable and manageable. In fact, if we are made aware of this, it is possible to prevent some illnesses. My mother (now deceased) was both diabetic and hypertensive. On the other hand, my dad (also deceased) had other issues. So given my parents’ medical history, I am learning that I need to be careful about certain factors as there is a predisposition towards hypertension and diabetes.
Additionally, my administrative position carries significant responsibility and a heavy workload, and unless I make deliberate efforts to give attention to rest or down time, time for family and certainly for God, I am likely to be intemperate. The issue of balance, which poses a challenge, requires that I pay attention to what is essential. So writing in this regard reminds me that maybe like you I need constant reminders. Yes, like others I need to eat right, to eat on time, to exercise and ensure that I rest; for as noted, because of heredity, I am prone to certain disorders. However, I am learning that to expose myself to appropriate knowledge is essential. For this I am grateful to our Health Director, Dr. Idamae Hanna, and many of our health professionals who work along with her. In addition, I am indebted to Ellen White for the practical counsels in her books, particularly Counsels on Diet and Foods. There is certainly a need to transition from having the knowledge to implementing and practicing what I am hearing and reading.
A Responsibility to Share Knowledge
A casual look around us reveals that many persons in our country are suffering unnecessarily. It is possible that one or more of these individuals may be related to you. It is even possible that some of you are also suffering. Personally, I know of some who are experiencing ill health; therefore, I have decided to share whatever knowledge I have to assist. In doing so, I make myself more accountable; for you have heard the question: “How can he advise me when he himself is doing what I am doing?” Isn’t it amazing that folks know what we as Adventists stand for, even though they may not live by our standards? Given the aforementioned, I share the following counsels I read recently in Counsels on Diet and Foods:
Overeating
“My brother/sister, you have much to learn. You indulge your appetite by eating more food than your system can convert into good blood. It is sin to be intemperate in the quantity of food eaten, even if the quality is unobjectionable.”
Exercise
“Exercise is important to digestion, and to a healthy condition of body and mind. You need physical exercise.”
Pure Air
“The influence of pure, fresh air is to cause the blood to circulate healthfully through the system. It refreshes the body, and tends to render it strong and healthy, while at the same time its influence is decidedly felt upon the mind, imparting a degree of composure and serenity.”
Drinking after eating
“Many make a mistake in drinking cold water with their meals. Food should not be washed down. Taken with
meals, water diminishes the flow of saliva; and the colder the water, the greater the injury to the stomach. Ice water or ice lemonade, taken with meals, will arrest digestion until the system has imparted sufficient warmth to the stomach to enable it to take up its work again.”
Eating Hurriedly
“Masticate slowly, and allow the saliva to mingle with the food.
Another serious evil is eating at improper times, as after violent or excessive exercise, when one is much exhausted or heated. Immediately after eating there is a strong draft upon the nervous energies; and when mind or body is heavily taxed just before or just after eating, digestion is hindered. When one is excited, anxious, or hurried, it is better not to eat until rest or relief is found.”
As pastors and elders let’s begin teaching and practicing more of these principles. Our people need to know these things, and we all will benefit from following these simple but profound counsels. I am encouraging those of you who have not read the book Counsels on Diet and Foods to begin reading. It is one of the best investments that we can make today!
Have a Healthy Happy Sabbath, and continue to support the new Bahamas Academy.
Reactions to last week’s update coupled with an ongoing reading of Counsels on Diet and Foods have encouraged me to do a part two to healthful living. However, I make it clear that I feel in no way qualified to write regarding health reform, but at the same time, I find it difficult to excuse myself from such an assignment. Writing on the subject of health reform may convey the impression that the writer or proponent has it altogether; and therefore, persons begin to look to him or her as a model. That is certainly not my objective or motivation. Instead, the aim is to encourage everyone to give consideration to healthful living and, where needed, make adjustments; for God requires all of His children to be wise and embrace His total teaching,
which includes health reform.Health Issues Among Adventists
Among us, Seventh-day Adventists, exist certain diseases that affect us such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and lung related disorders. Some of these, I am told, may be hereditary --passed on from parents, but are very much treatable and manageable. In fact, if we are made aware of this, it is possible to prevent some illnesses. My mother (now deceased) was both diabetic and hypertensive. On the other hand, my dad (also deceased) had other issues. So given my parents’ medical history, I am learning that I need to be careful about certain factors as there is a predisposition towards hypertension and diabetes.
Additionally, my administrative position carries significant responsibility and a heavy workload, and unless I make deliberate efforts to give attention to rest or down time, time for family and certainly for God, I am likely to be intemperate. The issue of balance, which poses a challenge, requires that I pay attention to what is essential. So writing in this regard reminds me that maybe like you I need constant reminders. Yes, like others I need to eat right, to eat on time, to exercise and ensure that I rest; for as noted, because of heredity, I am prone to certain disorders. However, I am learning that to expose myself to appropriate knowledge is essential. For this I am grateful to our Health Director, Dr. Idamae Hanna, and many of our health professionals who work along with her. In addition, I am indebted to Ellen White for the practical counsels in her books, particularly Counsels on Diet and Foods. There is certainly a need to transition from having the knowledge to implementing and practicing what I am hearing and reading.
A Responsibility to Share Knowledge
A casual look around us reveals that many persons in our country are suffering unnecessarily. It is possible that one or more of these individuals may be related to you. It is even possible that some of you are also suffering. Personally, I know of some who are experiencing ill health; therefore, I have decided to share whatever knowledge I have to assist. In doing so, I make myself more accountable; for you have heard the question: “How can he advise me when he himself is doing what I am doing?” Isn’t it amazing that folks know what we as Adventists stand for, even though they may not live by our standards? Given the aforementioned, I share the following counsels I read recently in Counsels on Diet and Foods:
Overeating
“My brother/sister, you have much to learn. You indulge your appetite by eating more food than your system can convert into good blood. It is sin to be intemperate in the quantity of food eaten, even if the quality is unobjectionable.”
Exercise
“Exercise is important to digestion, and to a healthy condition of body and mind. You need physical exercise.”
Pure Air
“The influence of pure, fresh air is to cause the blood to circulate healthfully through the system. It refreshes the body, and tends to render it strong and healthy, while at the same time its influence is decidedly felt upon the mind, imparting a degree of composure and serenity.”
Drinking after eating
“Many make a mistake in drinking cold water with their meals. Food should not be washed down. Taken with
meals, water diminishes the flow of saliva; and the colder the water, the greater the injury to the stomach. Ice water or ice lemonade, taken with meals, will arrest digestion until the system has imparted sufficient warmth to the stomach to enable it to take up its work again.”Eating Hurriedly
“Masticate slowly, and allow the saliva to mingle with the food.
Another serious evil is eating at improper times, as after violent or excessive exercise, when one is much exhausted or heated. Immediately after eating there is a strong draft upon the nervous energies; and when mind or body is heavily taxed just before or just after eating, digestion is hindered. When one is excited, anxious, or hurried, it is better not to eat until rest or relief is found.”
As pastors and elders let’s begin teaching and practicing more of these principles. Our people need to know these things, and we all will benefit from following these simple but profound counsels. I am encouraging those of you who have not read the book Counsels on Diet and Foods to begin reading. It is one of the best investments that we can make today!
Have a Healthy Happy Sabbath, and continue to support the new Bahamas Academy.
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